Senior HR Advisor - Strategy and Services

About us

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services to fire in the built and landscape environments, as well as scientific and specialist capabilities to Queensland communities. The QFD provides a multi-hazard emergency response, including road crash rescue, bushfire, hazardous material, technical and vertical rescue, severe weather incidents, remote and swiftwater rescue, and provides a number of functions supporting community safety outcomes.

The department encompasses Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR), Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), as well as the broader department which work together to pre-empt, prevent, mitigate and manage the consequences of fires and other emergencies on Queensland communities and support our large volunteer membership across the state.

The QFD is an organisation that is committed to reframing the department’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through activities identified in the QFD Reframing the Relationship Plan, contributing to Closing the Gap outcomes and building our cultural capability.

Purpose of the role

Strategy and Services is responsible for providing professional advice and support to regional and state office managers and staff across the employee lifecycle including employee remuneration and entitlements, Human Resource (HR) systems, establishment management, performance and development and recruitment and selection. The team also contributes to the design, development and delivery of HR initiatives, policies and resources to ensure compliance and best practice in alignment with whole-of-government, departmental and business unit needs.

Reporting to the Principal Advisor, you will provide high quality HR advice, support and consultancy services to management and staff of QFD. The Senior HR Advisor provides the full range of human resource management functions and requires you to work within a team of HR practitioners and in partnership with our leadership teams and key stakeholders across QFD to deliver business outcomes.  

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

• Knowledge and/or experience or qualifications in contemporary HR management and best practice.

Your key accountabilities

Your part in the ongoing success of our department, in supporting frontline services will see you responsible for a variety of work, including, but not limited to:

• Partner with stakeholders and colleagues across QFD in providing quality advice and support on a broad range of HR management issues including but not limited to employment conditions and entitlements, systems and processes, performance and conduct, recruitment and selection, workforce planning and establishment management.


• Provide subject matter expertise in accordance with public sector industrial framework, policies and procedure, to ensure that practices within QFD are consistent and compliant.


• Analyse workforce data to address individual and broader workforce issues, define risks and present evidence-based solutions to support decision making processes.


• Maintain a thorough knowledge of current HR legislation, awards, certified agreements, directives, policies and procedures and provide accurate and timely advice on employee relations matters.


• Liaise with senior management using discretion with sensitive and/or confidential matters and develop positive ongoing working relationships, to ensure ready and reliable access to information on HR issues and initiatives.


• Research, review and prepare reports, briefs, submissions and other correspondence in accordance with departmental requirements.


• Represent QFD and participate in HR projects and working groups to ensure outcomes are delivered within agreed timeframes and meet business and client’s needs.


• Actively participate in team cohesiveness and capability through professional development opportunities and promotion of a positive environment with ethical practices, workplace safety, equity, and diversity.